Blackwell Great Minds

Wittgenstein presents a concise, comprehensive, and systematic treatment of Ludwig Wittgenstein's thought from his early work, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, to the posthumous publication of On Certainty, notes written just prior to his death. • A substantial scholarly addition to our understanding of one of the most original and influential thinkers of the twentieth century, by renowned Wittgenstein scholar, Hans Sluga • Proposes an original new interpretation of Wittgenstein's work • Written to also be accessible to readers unfamiliar with Wittgenstein's thought • Includes discussion of the social and political background and contemporary relevance of Wittgenstein's thoughts

An in-depth exploration, through his plays and poems, of the philosophy of Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind". • Written by a leading Shakespearean scholar • Discusses an array of topics, including sex and gender, politics and political theory, writing and acting, religious controversy and issues of faith, skepticism and misanthropy, and closure • Explores Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind"

The definitive exploration of C. S. Lewis's philosophical thought, and its connection with his theological and literary work Arguably one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, C. S. Lewis is widely hailed as a literary giant, his seven-volume “Chronicles of Narnia” having sold over 65 million copies in print worldwide. A prolific author and scholar whose intellectual contributions transcend the realm of children's fantasy literature, Lewis is commonly read and studied as a significant theological figure in his own right. What is often overlooked is that Lewis first loved and was academically trained in philosophy. In this newest addition to the “Blackwell Great Minds” series, well-known philosopher and Lewis authority Stewart Goetz discusses Lewis's philosophical thought and illustrates how it informs his theological and literary work. Drawing from Lewis's published writing and private correspondence, including unpublished materials, C. S. Lewis is the first book to develop a cohesive and holistic understanding of Lewis as a philosopher. In this groundbreaking project, Goetz explores how Lewis's views on topics of lasting interest such as happiness, morality, the soul, human freedom, reason, and imagination shape his understanding of myth and his use of it in his own stories, establishing new connections between Lewis's philosophical convictions and his wider body of published work. Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, this short, engaging book makes a significant contribution to Lewis scholarship while remaining suitable for readers who have only read his stories, offering new insight into the intellectual life of this figure of enduring popular interest.

Socrates presents a compelling case for some life-changing conclusions that follow from a close reading of Socrates' arguments. • Offers a highly original study of Socrates and his thought, accessible to contemporary readers • Argues that through studying Socrates we can learn practical wisdom to apply to our lives • Lovingly crafted with humour, thought-experiments and literary references (from the Iliad to Harry Potter), and with close reading sof key Socratic arguments • Aids readers with diagrams to make clear complex arguments

Presents a concise and comprehensive analysis of George Berkeley's thought and the impact of his intellectual contributions to philosophy. In this latest addition to the “Blackwell Great Minds” series, noted scholar of early modern philosophy Margaret Atherton examines Berkeley's most influential work and demonstrates the significant conceptual impact of his ideas in metaphysics and the philosophy of religion. • A concise and rigorous primer on Berkeley's essential writings and contributions to modern philosophy • Written by a leading scholar of early modern philosophy • Offers insight into the foundations of modern metaphysical and religious philosophy • Equips readers to find firm footing in Berkeley's wider body of published work in the canon of Western philosophy

In a focused assessment of one of the founding members of the liberal tradition in philosophy and a self-proclaimed "Under-Labourer" working to support the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century, the author maps the full range of John Locke's highly influential ideas, which even today remain at the heart of debates about the nature of reality and our knowledge of it, as well as our moral and political rights and duties. • Comprehensive introduction to the full range of Locke's ideas, providing an up-to-date account that acknowledges issues raised by recent scholarship over the past decade • A well-rounded perspective on one of the intellectual giants of the western philosophical tradition • Provides detailed coverage of Locke's two key works, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” and “The Two Treatises of Government”. • A sophisticated analysis by a highly respected academic